Box Turtles are the turtles that you run into when you’re out camping somewhere during the summer. They are pretty exciting creatures and pique the interest of almost everyone that sees them. This moment is when a person watching them might wonder about whether or not they bite.
The straight answer is yes. Box Turtles do bite. They may not have teeth, but they have pointed beaks that are more than capable of wounding your fingers. However, we should understand that animals will never intentionally hurt humans unless they feel hungry or attacked. Box Turtles, in particular, will do this only if they think they are under attack.
The first line of defense for these turtles when they feel threatened is to retract themselves into the shell to protect themselves. The surface helps protect the actual soft body from any harm by preventing any physical damage.
You can visit this link to read about the basics of how to care for a turtle: How to Take Care of a Turtle
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About Box Turtles
Box Turtles are one of the popular species that you can adopt as pets in the turtle community. One of the biggest reasons so many people choose them as personal pets is because they do not get enormous as they grow. This trait makes them some of the most accessible pet turtles. It is not just their accessibility that makes them so popular but also their behavior that makes them desirable. Their one-of-a-kind shape and build make them seem especially appealing to children.
Box Turtles or Box Tortoises are a genus of turtles. They are native to the United States of America and also Mexico. There are presently four known species of the box turtle (the Common Box Turtle, Ornate Box Turtle, Spotted Box Turtle, and the Coahulian Box Turtle).
They have a distinct domed shell that makes recognizing them very easy. The shell is hinged at the bottom, making it a perfect cover to seal their bodies into when they are under threat from a predator.
Why Do Box Turtles Bite?
Box Turtles do generally not bite unless they feel threatened. The first thing that Box Turtles will do when under attack is to retract into their shell. This habit keeps them safe from physical attacks. Kids typically show an interest in Box Turtles. Make sure that kids keep their hands away from the turtle’s mouth. It is because even the slightest action might trigger an unwanted reaction from the turtle.
The best way to interact with Box Turtles is to observe them from a distance as they do not like being in contact with people too often. Give the turtle its own space. Avoid trying to pick it up and having any physical contact with it. Do not frighten it in any possible way. Whenever humans handle them, the turtles come under extreme stress. This stress could cause health problems.
If in case it is disturbed, the Box Turtle will retract into its shell and stay there. It could also be startled suddenly and panicked. This behavior could cause the turtle to start clawing and biting.
Can the Box Turtles be a Good Pet?
Box Turtles may be very popular as pets, but they certainly are not highly recommended as pets. A lot of states in the USA have made keeping Box Turtles as pets illegal. It has also led to the total number of box turtles declining.
Despite all this, if you still want to keep one as a pet, you need first to know how to take care of them. These species require exposure to natural sunlight to stay healthy. They also require a healthy diet. Their diet mainly consists of invertebrates like insects. The Box Turtle also has a lot of plant matter as food. This includes fruits, vegetables, and leaves. It is critical to offer them a varied diet while in captivity to somewhat resemble their diet in nature. It also helps maintain their nutritional requirements.
They are also mostly just wild animals rather than pets, even when in captivity. However, if the human and turtle have grown up together, petting them might be a bit easier. Always make sure you give them their own space and respect it. This practice, coupled with an environment that is comfortable for them, should keep them stress-free. It also improves their quality of life immensely.
Box Turtles are also not considered suitable for kids as they are known to handle pets in a slightly rough manner. It will agitate the Box Turtle and stress them out too much. It is the main reason that many experts and researchers are against children being around Box Turtles.
What to Do if These Turtles Bite You?
If you manage to find yourself in the position of having experienced the distinct displeasure of being bitten by a Box Turtle, here is what you should do. If it is a small and harmless bite, there is not much to do. Just wash your hands and continue doing what you were going to do. Leave the turtle alone for a while after this incident as it might still be agitated or stressed out.
If the bite is a lot more severe, then there is another course of action. If they have drawn any blood, the first thing to do is disinfect the wound. We would also recommend seeing a doctor after this.
If the turtle bites you and does not let go, the only course of action is to wait for it to release you. Anything else you try to do at this point will just mess things up further. It might sound crazy, but it is the best course of action in this scenario.
What not to do if they bite you
If you have been bit by the turtle and it refuses to let go, do not agitate it further by trying to wiggle yourself loose or hitting the turtle. This behavior will only worsen the wound as it will apply more pressure to the bite. If you hit the turtle, it will only clench its jaw tighter and make things worse. We cannot stress enough how important it is to just wait it out rather than doing anything else.
After being bitten, you must also be very careful about what you are doing with your hands. The first thing to do is wash them and disinfect them. Turtles carry a lot of germs and bacteria. The microbes may have spread during contact, and you must clean them before you do anything else.
How to Avoid Getting Bitten?
The simplest and best way to avoid being bitten is just to keep your fingers away from them. Do not feed them with your hands. Wear footwear whenever they are around to avoid getting your toes bitten.
Do not stress out your turtles, as that is the primary factor leading to them biting people. Keep your distance from them at all times. Do not handle them unless it is an emergency. Even when you do take them, make sure you do so with the utmost care. Also, do not place your fingers anywhere near the face to avoid the risk of having them bitten in the process.
Summary
So, the gist of it is, yes, Box Turtles do bite. They are not aggressive by nature but do tend to lash out when they are stressed. They only bite when they feel threatened or when you handle them too much.
It is a good thing Box Turtles do not have teeth. If they did, bites would be a lot more painful. They bite with their beaks, and this does pack a punch. There have been cases where it draws blood.
If they have bitten you, make sure you immediately wash your hands to stop the spread of bacteria. If in case you have bled, disinfect the wound immediately and visit a doctor. If the turtle refuses to let you go, you just have to wait it out. Anything else you do in the situation will only make things worse.
You can read more about turtles and find out interesting things about them by following these links :